More Aboriginal students are completing high school in B.C. than ever before, as the six-year completion rate climbed to 59.4 per cent in 2012-13.

The Aboriginal student completion rate has steadily improved over the past 10 years, rising from 45.9 per cent in 2002-03 (up 13.5 percentage points or 29.4 per cent increase).

The provincial six-year completion rate for all B.C. students was 83.6 per cent last year, up from 79.1 per cent in 2002-03.

The six-year completion rate is the percentage of students who graduate with a Dogwood diploma within six years of starting Grade 8 for the first time.

There were 3,319 Aboriginal students who graduated with a Dogwood in 2012-13, an increase of 72 per cent since 2002-03.

·         Aboriginal student enrolment in B.C. public schools in 2012-13 was 61,364 students, or 10.9 per cent of the total K-12 student population.

·         In 2012-13, approximately $63 million ($1,160 per student) was provided to districts for students who self-identify as being of Aboriginal ancestry. This funding is in addition to per pupil funding provided to school districts.

·         53 school districts in B.C. have signed an Aboriginal Education Enhancement Agreement (AEEA). The agreements support a partnership between Aboriginal communities and school districts that involves shared decision-making and specific goal-setting to meet the educational needs of aboriginal students.